Sermons on Joel Smith:

Storms & Questions Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 5, 2009

That day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let’s cross to the other side." So they left the crowd and took him along in the boat just as he was. Other boats were with him. A violent windstorm came up, and the waves began breaking into the boat, so

I’m conscious this morning that we’ve had another baptism, which is wonderful, but I do get the feeling sometimes that when parents bring a child to baptism they are sort of quietly hoping that the experience might have a soothing effect on the child. After all, isn’t that part of what good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Downward Mobility Of Jesus Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 5, 2009

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although He was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. “

I thought it was about time I began a sermon with a joke, and today’s passage did make me think of that story about the world’s leaders at prayer, asking God when their countries would repay their national debts. As the story goes, President Obama prays to God, asking when the US economy will ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Is It The Thought That Counts?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 6, 2009

Jesus’ parable of the dishonest but shrewd steward shows us that what people want is something real, not just nice thoughts; and that the use of God’s money is our finest responsibility.

My brother-in-law has a unique ability, a very special talent. He has the ability to go into a men’s clothing store, size up all the merchandise available, and cane out with the very worst, the most atrocious looking stuff that money can buy. What is worse, he does that when he is shopping for me. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Plus Poverty Equals Wealth

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 7, 2009

World Hunger Sunday, 1989: We will find joy in giving if we make our giving a priority, if it is done proportionately and sacrificially, and if we see it as a privilege.

The notion is going around in some circles that poor people are happy people. Have you heard that? It’s a kind of romantic idea, that poor people are happy people, that when you have nothing you at least have each other, you at least depend on God … you know all the usual things that are said. I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Iscariot: Stuck In Frustration Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 8, 2009

Frustration means that we forget about others in our need to do what we want, and it means we are tempted to abandon God’s way. The model is Jesus, whose obedience gave Him the ultimate accomplishment.

God must have a sense of humor, don’t you think? God must do some things just because they are fun to do! Several years ago, I thought I saw God’s funny bone at work overtime. Margaret and J were members of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, and I was serving as the chairman ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Joy On The Line Of Scrimmage

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 11, 2009

Even though we seem to be too few and too ill-prepared, if we engage this community for Christ there will be some victories and therefore joy.

This afternoon, when the saints come marching in, there will be several grades and degrees of happiness. Those ladies who remain football widows, who have not yet learned that if you can’t beat ’em, you have to join ’em – those who are football widows may be unhappy about the temporary loss of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Up And Down And In And Out

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 12, 2009

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD: Worship involves four dimensions: UP toward God, our help; DOWN from our pride; IN toward a caring unity; and OUT toward a world in need.

When I was in college, I had a math professor who would write a problem on the board, and then with a few deft strokes of his chalk, write the answer: X equals 12. Somehow, no matter what the problem, it seemed as though X always equaled twelve. But how did he get that? From long and complex ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Mary's Instructions Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Jul 13, 2009

Focus on the dialogue between Mary and Jesus and principles we can learn from it.

Series ---- People Jesus met as recorded in Gospel of John Title: Mary, the mother of Jesus Text: John 2:1-11 Introduction: We continue our series of messages on people Jesus met as recorded in the Gospel of John. Today we shall study about Mary the mother of Jesus. Obviously, Jesus met His mother ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Peter And Cornelius: From Pronouncements To People

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 14, 2009

Prejudice deals only with groups, not with persons. Peter had to get beyond outworn principles, and both he and Cornelius had to learn to give and receive what was needed. All need Christ.

If you have to choose between principles and people, choose people! Do you agree? If it comes down to deciding whether to adhere to certain principles and thereby injure people; if it comes down to violating your beliefs or violating another person, what will you choose? The principle or the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-43

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting God Who Can Give You Peace Series

Contributed by Clinton Smith on Jul 14, 2009

Peace is God holding you together while everything else around you is falling apart.

Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Who Is Peace Judges 6:22-24 Martin R De Haan II in his booklet: “Surviving the Storms of Stress”, tells a story of a woman named Nancy. Nancy’s glass of stress is full and overflowing. Wedged between the demands of single-parenting, a rebellious son, and managing an ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Snapshots In An Autumn Album

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2009

Contrasting Koheleth and Paul in the later season of their lives: one blames the young, the other gathers them; one mourns broken things, the other invests in ideas; one is anxious, the other trusts God for every need.

This past weekend, as a part of our brief getaway, my wife and I spent two nights in an old farmhouse. The farmhouse dated from 1704 and was partly furnished with antiques. Now my wife loves antiques; I guess that’s why she puts up with me. So we took the tour of the house, especially the parlor ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Father To Pharaoh

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 16, 2009

There is pain in family relationships. Jacob’s emptiness created Benjamin, the zero. Judah repeats parental manipulation. But Joseph shows that God’s grace can turn family pain into accomplishment.

The emotional scene we are about to confront comes out of a long history of deals and double deals. When this man stands before his brothers and weeps, his tears flow out of a whole reservoir of pent-up feelings. When this man, this strong, savvy, sophisticated official, cries out in a pain so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Ultimate Thanksgiving

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2009

November 1989: We are at bottom grateful for spiritual values rather than material ones. Ultimate thanksgiving will be to sing praises in a global community and in recognition of our deliverance.

On the surface, Thanksgiving seems like a holiday designed to celebrate the American experience of material fulfillment. On the surface, at least, it would appear that what we do at Thanksgiving is to celebrate our wealth, our material prosperity, and our achievements. We indulge in an orgy of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

To The Foolish: Beautiful Savior Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2009

December 1989: We choose not to participate in mission and ministry because we do not want to look foolish. Jesus transforms looking foolish into a redemptive model.

Most of us, especially in our younger years, spend an awful lot of effort in trying not to look foolish. Most of us, particularly when we are young and growing and think our bodies are all out of proportion anyway, will go to great lengths to hide our deficiencies and keep from looking foolish. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

To The Excluded: Lord Of The Nations Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 11, 2009

December 1989: Jesus is building His kingdom, and some who presume they are included are missing it, while some we think unworthy will be included. This is a day in which we must stretch our outreach to include all persons.

The folks who are into real estate will tell you that there are only three factors which enter into the value of a piece of property. Those three factors determine how much you should pay for that dream home, how much you should ask when you have decided to sell out and move up, and how loud you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Baptist